New Experiences for Kids Coming to the Disney Wish

Via Disney Destinations

Guests who’ve been following along as we unveil the Disney Wish already know that the newest Disney Cruise Line ship will feature a totally reimagined Disney’s Oceaneer Club, where kids ages 3 to 12 will experience the worlds of Marvel Super Heroes, Disney Princesses, “Frozen” friends and Disney Imagineers in brand-new ways. And today, we’re excited to share that there’s even more fun awaiting kids in this real-life wonderland…

We just announced two more magical experiences debuting at Disney’s Oceaneer Club aboard the Disney Wish next summer: Star Wars: Cargo Bay and Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck! Keep reading to learn more about these incredible new spaces, plus get new details about the imaginative entertainment and character experiences throughout the club.

Check out the “Designing the Disney Wish” video above for a sneak peek at the imaginative kids’ spaces coming to this ship, then continue reading to learn more about new entertainment and character experiences throughout Disney’s Oceaneer Club.

disney wish

New Adventures at Star Wars: Cargo Bay

The peculiar creatures and legendary characters of the Star Wars galaxy will take center stage at Star Wars: Cargo Bay. This first-of-its-kind immersive experience will place kids in the important role of creature handlers as they learn to manage a mischievous menagerie of exotic beings from across the galaxy, including a porg, Loth-cat, worrt and more.

Throughout the cruise, they’ll use augmented reality-enabled datapads to track and study the creatures on a series of special assignments. But there’s more to this job than meets the dianoga eye: The new crew will actually be joining an important mission to deliver a pair of secret stowaways, Rey and Chewbacca, back to the Resistance.

During the interactive “Star Wars: Creature Challenge” experience, the newly minted caretakers will be put to the test as they help feed the lifelike creatures and encounter some of the most dangerous beings in the galaxy. When things go awry, they’ll need to call on the expertise of Rey and Chewbacca —and even channel the Force —to secure the ship from destruction.

A Celebration of Exploration at Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck

Specially designed for the youngest sailors at Disney’s Oceaneer Club, Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck is a nautical playground inspired by the colors, icons and magic of Disney Cruise Line. This brand-new space will be filled with an array of maritime-themed physical and sensory-style games and activities, such as pipe slides and crawl-throughs, ship’s wheels, “busy boxes” fashioned as ship controls and cushy life preserver seating areas.

When little cadets enter the space, they’ll set sail on a fun-filled adventure and enjoy quality play time with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse themselves. At select times throughout the voyage, the space will be open to little ones’ families for group play, and the toddlers from It’s a Small World Nursery will also get dedicated access to the club to explore, learn and play with Mickey and Minnie.

The signature experience will be “Minnie’s Captain Academy,” a high-energy training session for kids to exercise their bodies (through playful games, dancing and maritime “drills”) and their minds, testing their imagination and ingenuity during a series of challenges tied to STEAM principles (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics). Captain Minnie will inspect their progress and officially declare them honorary captains!

disney wish
marvel super hero academy
disney imagineering lab

Quality Play Time with Super Heroes, Princesses and “Frozen” Friends

At Disney’s Oceaneer Club, kids will have more opportunities than ever to have fun with Disney characters during expertly developed games and programs – and when characters stop by, they will stay to play. Like “Star Wars: Creature Challenge” and “Minnie’s Captain Academy,” each space will offer uniquely interactive, memorable experiences that are exclusive to Disney Cruise Line.

  • At Marvel Super Hero Academy, young recruits will join a hands-on training session with Ant-Man and The Wasp, who will teach them how to create and test their very own Pym Particles, the technology that allows these heroes to shrink and grow objects (and themselves).
  • Also at Marvel Super Hero Academy, kids will team up with the masterminds from Pym Technologies and Wakandan Design Group —including a special appearance by Black Panther —to thwart Taskmaster’s evil plan to hack into the academy’s system and steal the world’s most advanced hero tech.
  • When the hub of Disney’s Oceaneer Club transforms into the Snuggly Duckling tavern from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Tangled,” kids will have the best day ever with Rapunzel and Flynn Rider as they embark on a scavenger hunt to recover the missing pieces of the Snuggly Duckling sign.
  • In Belle’s Library, children will use their imaginations to create the most daring, hilarious, fantastical new story for their favorite booklover. Belle will lend her wits and her magic mirror to help determine the characters, plot and conclusion of the brand-new tale.
  • At Anna and Elsa’s Sommerhus, the newest citizens of Arendelle will join a special celebration of Queen Anna’s recent coronation by acting out the history of how she became queen —taking on the roles and iconic movie moments of characters like Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff, Hans and more — before the queen, her sister and their snowman friend show up to join the fun.
edge


Dedicated Fun for Tots, Tweens and Teens

As previously announced, cruisers ages 6 months to 3 years will be cared for at It’s a Small World Nursery, where babysitting services will be provided in a whimsical environment inspired by the beloved Disney attraction of the same name. Here, little ones will play games, make crafts, watch movies, read books and spend time with Disney friends under the expert care of Disney-trained counselors.

Older kids will chill and play in their own way aboard the Disney Wish at trendy hangouts that combine sophisticated design with youthful Disney touches. Not only will the ship feature our signature tween and teen clubs, Edge and Vibe, but it will also have a brand-new hangout especially for them.

For the first time on a Disney ship, the Disney Wish will feature a third club for tweens and teens: The Hideaway. This hip new hangout will offer older kids and young adults a chill place to relax, listen to music and more in a posh setting complete with a dance floor and DJ booth – perfect for karaoke contests and dance competitions. The Hideaway will be adorned in a vibrant color palette, retro-inspired design details, a stylized “Hiya, pal” mural and disco ball lights. Adjacent to Vibe, this flexible venue can be opened to the teen club, closed off for tween activities and even reserved especially for guests ages 18 to 20.

All three spaces will be bursting with creative design details, comfortable lounge space, high-tech entertainment and a jam-packed schedule of can’t-miss activities.

Walt Disney World Gets A New Boat for First Time in 28 Years!

Walt Disney World is in full celebration mode as they have officially kicked off “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” honoring 50 years of magic making! While we’re thrilled to experience new nighttime spectaculars such as the Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom Park, Harmonious at EPCOT, and Fab 50 Disney Character Collection throughout the Parks, a newbie has taken to the sea! That’s right – for the first time in 28 years, Walt Disney World Resort has welcomed a new ship to its fleet cruising Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon.

Of course, when you think about boats at Walt Disney World, chances are your mind goes to a massive ferry boat that hauls Guests to and from the Transportation and Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom Park. If you’re staying at a Disney Resort near Magic Kingdom, however, such as Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort, you may have taken a much smaller vessel from Disney’s fleet of motor cruiser boats to reach the Disney Park.

Disney Parks Blog has shared the exciting news: “Now, just in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, a new cruiser has joined the fleet, and its story is pretty incredible. The cruiser is called Tradewinds, a name that was chosen by Walt Disney Imagineering and voted on by watercraft Cast Members. “Trade Winds” refers to the nearly constant wind that blows across the equator. And it’s the perfect name for this new vessel since watercraft Cast Members have constantly delivered remarkable Guest service across Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon since the fleet was launched.”

Disney goes on to share: “But the name isn’t the only thing that Cast Members helped to choose. Watercraft Cast Members offered feedback that directly impacted the design of the vessel, from the position of the pilothouse to the amount of cabin space available to Guests.  “We solicited feedback from Cast Members about the things they would like to see in a new motor cruiser, and we put it into the boat,” said Transportation Guest Experience Manager Collin Garton. “Everything about it was made to make Cast Member input a reality.”

We have personally been on this new water transportation on day two of its introduction to the seas and it’s a beautiful, smooth boat ride across the water. Not only that, but the Cast Members manning the ship are so proud to talk about the new boat! You can’t miss this newbie on the water with its bright orange, yellow, white, and teal coloring.

We love the photo above of Cast Members gathering together to christen the new boat transportation as a nautical tradition before Tradewinds made its maiden voyage. It’s the first new motor cruiser to join the fleet since 1993 (nearly 30 years!).

Cooking Up the Magic: Empress Lilly Au Gratin Potatoes

Time to head back into the kitchen because Disney is sharing another fabulous recipe.

From a Disney Cast Member;

Hiya, foodies! Can you believe “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” in honor of the 50thAnniversary at Walt Disney World Resort begins next week?! The 18 months of festivities will spotlight what’s made Walt Disney World so special for the past five decades, along with the magic of the future. Of course, Walt Disney World food, from the past and present, are key parts of the celebration. Starting next week, you’ll be able to cook up the magic from your own kitchen, with Delicious Disney: Recipes & Stories from the Most Magical Place on Earth by Pam Brandon, Marcy Carriker Smothers, and The Disney Chefs.

Today we’re giving you a sneak peek at one recipe you can find in the cookbook: the Empress Lilly au Gratin Potatoes. The Empress Lilly Riverboat, moored on the shores of what is now Disney Springs, was named for Walt’s wife Lillian, affectionately known as Lilly. The Riverboat welcomed guests for the first time on May 1, 1977, and Lilly attended the location’s dedication with five of her and Walt’s grandchildren. The Empress Lilly included three restaurants and a jazz lounge, with the Empress Room being the most elegant dining experience at Walt Disney World at the time. The Empress Lilly closed on April 22, 1995, and is now home to Paddlefish at Disney Springs.

Enjoy some of this fine dining from your home with the signature Empress Lilly Au Gratin Potatoes from Delicious Disney.

EMPRESS LILLY AU GRATIN POTATOES
Serves 4

    • 2 large baking potatoes
    • 1 cup half and half
    • ½ teaspoon coarse salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • ½ teaspoon celery salt
    • 1 tablespoon finely grated onion, optional
    • 3 tablespoons grated cheddar cheese
    1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake potatoes 50 to 60 minutes, or until soft enough to pierce with a fork. Refrigerate to cool, then peel and coarsely grate.
    2. Bring half and half almost to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add salt, pepper, celery salt, and onion. Mix in grated potatoes.
    3. Reduce oven heat to 350°F. Spoon potatoes into buttered 1-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until browned and bubbly.

NoteAlways use caution when handling sharp objects. Please supervise children who are helping or nearby. This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version. 

Click here for a print-at-home version of this recipe!

Delicious Disney: Recipes & Stories from the Most Magical Place on Earth will be available exclusively at shopDisney.com and Walt Disney World beginning Sept. 28, 2021, just in time for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” And be sure to share any recipes you make at home on social with #DisneyWorld50.

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser – Pre-Sale Opportunity for Disney Vacation Club Members and Disney Annual Passholders

Eligible Disney Vacation Club members and active Annual Passholders can be among the first to book and experience Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. They can take advantage of this opportunity to book during an exclusive special pre-sale window October 7 and 9 for voyages March 1-May 4, 2022.*

This pre-sale booking opportunity has been communicated directly to Disney Vacation Club members and Disney Annual Passholders via email.

As a reminder, general bookings for this immersive adventure in a galaxy far, far away will open less than one month from now, on Oct. 28, 2021.

*Limited availability. Terms apply

Disney Wonder to Resume Sailings from Galveston on November 19

The Disney Wonder will resume sailing November 19, 2021, from Galveston, Texas, with a variety of Western Caribbean cruises, including stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.

Please note that 6-night sailings on November 23, December 7 and 31, 2021 will now visit Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico instead of Key West, Florida and Disney Castaway Cay.

Additionally, the 6-night sailing on December 21, 2021 will now visit Progreso, Mexico, instead of George Town, Grand Cayman.

Finally, the 6-night sailing on January 14, 2022 will now visit Cozumel, Mexico, and George Town, Grand Cayman, instead of Key West, Florida, and Disney Castaway Cay.

As a thank you for sailing with us on the following revised cruises, each stateroom will receive a $400 non-refundable onboard credit that can be used toward onboard purchases.

Offer for Guests on 11/23/21, 12/7/21, 12/31/21 and 1/14/22 Disney Wonder Sailings
$400 non-refundable onboard credit per stateroom if Guests sail on their original itinerary
If Guests move or cancel their sailing, they forfeit the onboard credit

Disney Wonder Guests on impacted sailings may modify their sail date or cancel their sailing without any Disney-imposed cancellation fees, if applicable, from October 6-20, 2021. Please note that cancellation fees imposed by third-party suppliers, including airlines, as well as travel insurance, are not refundable. Refunds will be processed back to the original form of payment. Standard cancellation policies and terms and conditions apply for any cancellation or modification requests received on or after October 21, 2021.

Please review all COVID-19 vaccine and testing requirements, as well as helpful information about the port arrival experience, on the Disney Cruise Line Know Before You Go page.

SeaMails will be sent to all Guests sailing on the Disney Wonder Galveston sailings on 11/19, 11/29, 12/3, 12/13, 12/17 and 12/27 2021 and 1/6, 1/10, 1/20, 1/24 and 1/28 2022.

These SeaMails will remind Guests that all Guests 12 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated. Guests 11 years old and under are not required to be vaccinated but must take a pre-trip NAAT test, rapid PCR test or lab-based PCR test for COVID-19 between 3 days and 24 hours before sailing. All Guests are required to take a PCR COVID-19 test administered by Inspire Diagnostics at the terminal before boarding, paid for by Disney Cruise Line.